About Home Ownership in Douglas County, MinnesotaBirthplace of America?

Douglas County’s Story

Douglas County, Minnesota, was first settled in 1858, the same year that Minnesota became a state. In 1862, the settlements were all but abandoned due to Sioux Indian uprisings in the area and all records made were lost. It was many months later before settlers began again moving back to the region. By 1866, treaties had been signed with the Sioux and it was in that year that Douglas County's borders were officially set.

Douglas County was named for Sen. Stephen A. Douglas who helped establish the county The first board of commissioners were appointed by the State Legislature in the spring of 1866 and the Commissioners soon appointed the first officers of Douglas County. At the first meeting of the county board, two townships were established - Alexandria Township and Osakis Township.

The settlement of Alexandria began when Alexander and William Kinkead built a log cabin and hotel along the shore of Lake Agnes in 1858. It was the Kinkead brothers who named the area "Alexandria". The land - which became the official town site and the county seat - was purchased in 1867 by William E. Hicks. The town itself soon expanded as Mr. Hicks built a general store, provided land for the Kinkead Cemetery and donated land for three churches. Mr. Hicks also started the town's first newspaper, built a flour mill and joined forces with Thomas Cowing to erect a saw mill near Lake Latoka. The signing of the Homestead Act in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln gave people the ability to own property if they lived and worked the land. Under those provisions, the area was quickly settled by European immigrants and Civil War veterans. By 1869, almost all of the county's tillable land was claimed. With the increase of citizens in the region, additional towns were soon created to provide goods and services to the settlers in the outlying areas of the county.

Today, Douglas County contains 20 townships and 11 cities as well as a number of smaller villages. Alexandria continues to be the county seat. Population in the county was set at 32,821 in the 2000 census, a 14.5% increase from 1990

Douglas County's oldest claim to fame is the legendary Kensington Runestone. Scholars and scientists have spent numerous hours studying the large flat rock's runic inscriptions. Many are convinced the Runestone is a genuine record of a visit by Viking explorers to the area in the 14th century, more than 100 years before Columbus set sail for America, though other scholars claim is it a fake. The Runestone was discovered in a farmer's field in the late 1800's near the town of Kensington. The 200-pound stone is on display at the Runestone Museum in Alexandria.

For more information on activities in and around Douglas County, Minnesota, visit:

Douglas County Homes and Real Estate

Whether recreational land, homes, or properties of all sizes and views, you'll find Douglas County area real estate opportunities that are right for your needs. As you would expect, Douglas County real estate is highly valued and available homes and properties sell quickly.

Douglas County, Minnesota real estate includes a wide variety of homes for sale, condos for sale, water access properties (waterfront, bay or lake view), active adult communities, hobby farms and executive properties. Whether you're presently a buyer or seller, we're confident we can help you achieve your real estate goals.

Sellers who have been in the area for a while know our reputation for knowledgeable advice, enthusiastic service, creative marketing and professional networking. We mine every source for suitable properties so you can feel at ease that your search will produce the right kind of property for you.

For buyers new to the area, Dorothy and Glen Reiner will provide the specialized services you deserve: a strong work ethic, personal real estate expertise to help define your needs, help with selecting and securing standard financing for your purchase, special technology, constant communication throughout the transaction, and more. Our recognized expertise, professionalism and commitment to customer satisfaction has made us the choice of many previous home buyers to help guide their search, from existing homes for sale, properties for sale, lots, vacant land, new construction, 55-plus and retirement communities, investment properties, waterfront, golf and recreational properties, all the way to luxury villas, estates and executive homes.

So when you're ready to buy or sell real estate in or around Douglas County, Minnesota, please let Dorothy and Glen Reiner help you purchase the home or property of your dreams. Contact Dorothy and Glen Reiner today!

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Glen and Dorothy Reiner of Exit Minnesota Lakes Realty service the real estate needs of home buyers and home sellers in search of real estate, homes for sale, condos, investment properties, commercial real estate, new construction, new homes, land, lots, waterfront properties, farms and recreational property in these nearby communities and more!